Flow controller



Jan. 8, 1957 H. J. PANKRATZ 2,776,785

FLOW CONTROLLER Original Filed Dec. 29, 1949 3 Shee ts-Sheet l vINVENTOR. F/G. 3. H.J.PANKRATZ BY A M171 r yaw-47 ATTORNEYS H. J.PANKRATZ FLOW CONTROLLER Jan. 8, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original FiledDec.

FIG. 4.

FIG. 5.

FIG. 7.

5 v R 6 mm N NA R E R O W v N I A m H H. J. PANKRATZ Jan. 8, 1957 FLOWCONTROLLER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed Dec. 29, 1949 FIG. 9.

FIG. 8.

INVENTOR.

By I PANKRATZ ATTORNEYS United States Patent FLOW CONTROLLER Howard J.Pankratz, Bartlesville, Okla, assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, acorporation of Delaware Original application December 29, 1949, SerialNo. 135,564, now Patent No. 2,718,339, dated September 20, 1955. Dividedand this application June 17, 1955, Serial No. 516,157

9 Claims. (Cl. 222-486) This invention relates to an apparatus forcontrolling a continuous flow of mass of sub-divided solid material. Inone of its aspects it relates to an apparatus for controlling in aregulable manner the flow of a catalytic or adsorbent solid sub-dividedmaterial employed in a moving bed type catalytic reactor or adsorber.

This application is a division of my prior copending. application SerialNo. 135,564 filed December 29, 1949, now U. S. Patent No. 2,718,339 ofSept. 20, 1955. Election of species was required in said priorapplication and the species of Figures 3 to 6 thereof was the electedspecies therein and the species of Figure 7 was covered subgenerically.The present application is directed to the subgenus of the species ofFigure 8 and the species of Figures 9 and 10 of said prior application.

In the prior art many processes are known which employ a solidsub-divided material moving downwardly as a bed through a verticalvessel. Such material is ordinarily a catalyst employed in a chemicalreaction such as the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon oils, or anadsorbent employed in a process for the separation of a mixture of twoor more fluids into its component parts. In such processes, it isimportant that the total rate of flow of the sub-divided solid materialbe constant at any given rate and that the distribution of flowthroughout the cross-sectional area of the process vessel be uniform.Heretofore efforts have been made to secure this desired uniformity offlow by employing such devices as an oscillating feeder tray, slidegates, etc. Although these devices have been quite successful inobtaining the desired uniformity of flow, their opening and closing haveresulted in an inordinate amount of crushing and shearing of theparticles of the material flowing through them due to the closetolerances between the various moving parts of the apparatus. As aresult the consumption of granular material has been excessive and thefines produced by the crushing have often clogged other sections of theapparatus handling the sub-divided solid material. An apparatus whichwill not crush or shear granular solid material flowing through it and,at the same time, which will secure the desired uniformity of flow hasbeen sought by the prior art as a desirable means for controlling theflow of such material.

According to this invention, there is provided an apparatus forcontrolling in a regulable manner a continuous flow of a solidsub-divided material whereby there is secured a uniform and continuousflow of the said material through a process vessel without concomitantlycrushing or shearing the particles of material to form fines thereof.Still according to this invention, there is provided an apparatuscomprising means so adapted to cause a bridge to be formed by particlesof the said material which will stop their flow. This bridge is providedby placing a material collecting device across at least a part of thepath of solid material discharging from a substantially vertical conduitwhereby the particles will accumulate in the collecting device untilthey effectively plug or partially plug the said conduit. In thismanner, 2

the particles of material are not caught and crushed between any closelyfitting metallic parts such as those in a valve but, instead, theiraccumulation on the collecting device will in itself cause their flow topartially or completely cease without any shearing or crushing actionwhatsoever. As a result the shearing effect on material particles due totheir being crushed between moving parts of a flow regulating device iseliminated.

In order to more fully set forth the invention, it will now be describedwith particular reference to the attached drawings which demonstrateembodiments of the invention. In the drawing, Figure 1 is a schematicview of a hypersorption process and part of the appurtenant equipment inwhich the apparatus of this invention is particularly adapted to beemployed. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22 in Figure1 showing a portion of the apparatus of this invention located in avertical, cylindrical vessel. Figure 3 is a sectional view along 3-3 inFigure 2. Figure 4 is a view taken along 4-4 in Figure 3 showing theflow control apparatus in a closed position. Figure 5 is across-sectional view taken along 55 in Figure 3. Figure 6 is a viewcorresponding to that of Figure 5 except that the flow control apparatusis shown in an open position. Figure 7 illustrates a modification of theembodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6. Figures 8, 9 and 10 illustrateother embodiments of the apparatus than those shown in Figures 3, 4, 5and 7.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a portion of the equipmentemployed in a hypersorption process for separating a mixture of fluidsinto its components by selective adsorption onto an adsorbent such asapricot pit or coconut charcoal. In the figure, the feed mixture to beseparated enters vessel 1 through line 2 and flows upwardly andcountercurrently to a bed of adsorbent flowing continuously downward inthe vessel 1. The least readily adsorbed component of the feed is notadsorbed by the adsorbent material and disengages from the moving bed ofadsorbent at disengaging tray 3 and leaves vessel 1 through line 4. Theadsorbent material containing the most readily adsorbed component of thefeed flows downwardly as a bed through disengaging tray 5 and throughheating section 6 wherein it is heated sufliciently to strip theadsorbed component therefrom. This stripped component leaves vessel 1through line 7. The hot, stripped adsorbent then passes through a flowregulating and controlling apparatus generally designated as 8 inFigure 1. This apparatus, which this invention particularly concerns,provides a means for controlling the rate of flow of adsorbentdownwardly through the vesse as well as a means for uniformlycontrolling the flow across a given cross-sectional area of the vessel 1above the apparatus 8. In this particular process, it is particularlyimportant that the flow of adsorbent through thevessel is uniform insuch a manner that the rate of flow at the center of the vessel is thesame as that at the edges of the vessel in order that the feed to beseparated will be uniformly contacted with all of the flowing adsorbent.After passing through apparatus 8, the adsorbent is picked up by agaseous carrier in line 9 and elevated to the top of the vessel 1through line 10 where the adsorbent is disengaged from the carrier inseparating device 11. This device is particularly designed to permitadsorbent material-gas separation without any substantial crushing ordisintegration of the adsorbent into fines. The separated adsorbent thenflows through line 12 to vessel 1 wherein it is cooled in cooler 13 andpassed through disengaging tray 3 to complete the cycle. As stated, theapparatus of this invention is particularly concernedwith the adsorbentflow controlling and regulating apparatus 8 shown in Figure 1. Howeverit is to be understood that the apparatus of this invention can bePatented Jan. 8, 11957 I ea advantageously employed in other processeswherein it is, necessary to regulate the flow of a sub.,-.dividedisolidmass such as in moving or fluid bed catalytic hydrocarbon treatingprocesses, chemical reactions employing a moving catalyst, limestoneconverting processes, cement calcining processes, etc.

Referring to Figures 2, '3, 4, and 6, a-vertical reaction oradsorptionvessel-formed by -wall 1-4has a tray'15 disposed across itscross-section. Trayhas a plurality of apertures 16 in which are situatedconduits 17. Conduits 17 are substantially flush at their upper end withtray 15 "and extend downwardly fromtray 15 for asubstantial distance,say from six inches'to (three feet. The lower ends ofconduits17terminate inside a collector18 which is comprised of a-tube havingcutaway a portion 19 50 that the tube is semi=circular or troughshaped'in cross-section and thereby adapted to' receive the ends ofconduits 17therein as shown in Figures 5 and 6. Conduit 17 should extendinto'collector 18 and preferably leave a sufficient clearance"abetweenthe end of the conduit and the inside .of.the.collectorso that the'solidmaterial'will notbecrushed by'the oscillation of collector 18. Usually aclearance of 6 to I8'Ztimes the diameter of the'particlcsof' theisolidsub-divided material is'suiiicient. -Collector:18 -extendsacross thevessel and thereby serves a number of 'con'duits'17 disposedacrossthe'vessel'in a straight line as shown in Figure 2. Collector 18 issupported from the walls 14 of the vessel by support 20 and bearingstandards 21 wherein a bearingf22 is situated so as toperrnit collector18.,to turn ,or oscillate about a longitudinal axis. Collector .18 isdivided. midway along its length and a connecting link 23 interconnectsthe two halves of the collector. Supporting member 24 can be attached towalls 14 in order to support a central bearing standard 25 containingbearing26. Attached to link 23 is an arm 27 to which a linkage 28issecured by-a bolt 29. Linkage 28 thereby operatively connectscollector18 team actuating device 30 located outside the vessel. Actuator 30 isdiagrammatically shownas a fluid operatedpistonwhich operates toreciprocatelinkage 28 back and forth thereby oscillati lg ollectorl8.about.a.longitudinal axis. A bar 31 is fastened'intthe cutawayportion 19 ofcollector 18 and across the lengthof collector 18byitsattachment to end plates32of, collector .18 thereby being adapted to:press againstlconduit 17 whencollector 18 is oscillating to a closedposition, as shownin Figure 5.

.In operation, the, particles of materialflow downwardly.through-.conduit 17 and, as ,shown in Figure.6, out its end withoutrestriction. When'itis desired to stop the flowofthcparticles, actuator30 pulls linkage'28so'as to rotatercollector 18 tome-position shown inFigure 5. In so doing, bar 31, presses against conduit 17 therebydisplacing itto-the center of collector 18 inwhichpositiontits.longitudinalsaxisintersects the longitudinal axis ofcollector 18. In such:position,'the particles of flowing materialpile.up in collector .18 until they bridge acrossthe 1 lower end of: conduit17 thereby stopping their flow. 1Wh11.fi0l0f .the particles :is.againdesired, collector 181's rotated to tbeposition shownin :Figure 6.In

so;doing,lthe edgei33ioi collector 18:pushes'conduit 17 away from thecenter of ,collector'l8 whereby thezparticles can freely'flow'throughconduit 17. Collector 18 can be rotated -to .any intermediate positionso as 'to only partially bridge conduit 17 whereby the fiow of particlesis partially restricted.

As describedabove, conduit 17 canbe of any type which cansbetretained'in'hole 16 of tray 15 and yet have its,solidmaterialdischarge enddisplaceablelaterally as shown in Figure 6. Thus, it iscontemplated-that conduit 17 can be substantially rigid and looselyfitted in hole '16 so: that the conduit can be'laterally displaced atits discharge end. It is further contemplated thatconduit 17 can beiofflexible structure and/or material. Still fuIthEl',-COIldUll 17 cancontain a'ball and socket 34-as shown in Figure 7 so that it is readilymovable at its dischargeend. It is preferred that conduit-17 be flexiblein order that its frequent flexing will prevent clogging thereof.Conduit 17 can be squared, round, rectangular or any desired shape incross-section.

Although shown divided in Figure 3, it is apparent that collector 18 cancomprise one length extending entirely across a row of conduits 17thereby eliminating connecting link 23. On the other hand collector18can be divided'into a plurality of independent or interconnectedsections each serving as a collector for an individual conduit 17 Insuch cases, arm 27 and linkage128 can readily be modified tocooperativelyconnect each collector with an external actuating device-30. Although collector 18 is shown as semi-circular in cross-section inFigures 3, 4, 5 and 6, it is contemplated that they can be of any formwhich will serve as a collector for bridging the flowing granularmaterial across conduit 117. Thus itican be trough-shaped or it can be atube orpipe slotted along its length to receive the ends .of .conduits17 therein,

A plurality of collectors 18 and conduits 17 canbeprovided and soarranged that all of collectors 18 are either open or closed at the sametime. In this manner, the rate of flow of material through the apparatus.ofthis invention can be positively controlled by controlling the lengthof time the collectorsare oscillated to open position and by controllingtherate of oscillation to obtain the desired flow. Such an arrangementalso permits total cessation of flowtof material and hence can be usedas a shut-off device.

One of the featuresof the apparatus of this invention is thatthe flow ofsolid sub-divided material through the process vessel served by the saidapparatus be maintained uniform throughout any given cross-sectionof thevessel as well as at a constant rate for any given rate of Howtherethrough. To accomplish this feature,---a plurality of collectors 18and conduits 17 areprovided and soarranged that when at least'onecollector 18 is in a closed position as shown in Figure S at least oneother collector 18 is in an open position as shown in Figure 6 wherebymaterial is constantly flowing through tray 15. Other ,collectors 18 canbe positioned: so as to be onlypartially opened or closed with respecttothose open .and closed at any one time thereby providing a still moreuniform flow. The relative positions of the collectors 18 can.be easilyadjusted by adjusting thezposition of the connecting link 23 vin'respectto the arm 27. Further, collector l8z-can be oscillated on a cyclicalbasis or it can be fixed at a partially open position thereby securingthe'desired rate of flow of material through conduit 17. Thus there isprovided an apparatus which ensures a'constant total 7 flow at any givenflow rate and a uniform cross-sectional flow of. solidsub-dividedmaterial through a vessel without any-substantial crushing or shearingof thematerial intofinesisince the material is not caught between anycloselyfitted parts between which the material mustflow.

Alternatively, when an intermittent flow" of material is desired, all ofthecollectors 18 can be'made to open and close simultaneously.

Figure-8 illustrates another embodiment of thisinvention whereinconduit17.0r Figure 3 hasbeen replaced with'an inflexible conduit 35 aflixed toa tray 15. Collectors of receptacles 36 are oscillatably mounted attheir ends at point 37 whereby the receptacles 36 can'be oscillated soas to close the end of conduit 35 in order to permit bridging ofconduit'35 as shown in Figure"8. The receptacles can be mountedsimilarly'to collector 18 in Figure '3. A suitable-linkingmechanismandactuator similartothat shown in Figures 2'and 3 canbeprovided to oscillate receptacles 36 aboutan axis '37 which'isparallel to a line of conduits lying behindconduitfis in Figure 6. Thisaxis should be situated with respect to conduits 35 so that thecollector can be oscillated to a position-such that conduit 35 extendsinto the collectors suificient distance that the solid material willform therein a bridge across the conduit 35 and yet one which permits aclearance between the end of conduit 35 and the inside surface ofcollector 36 to avoid crushing the solid material between closelyfitting parts.

In operation, full flow of the particles of material is permitted whenthe receptacles 36 are rotated to a position shown at B in Figure 8.Rotation to a position C as in Figure 8 permits the particles toaccumulate in receptacles 36 so as to bridge across the conduit 35thereby stopping their flow without any crushing or shearing.

It is understood that the above described embodiment can be modified.Thus, receptacle or collector 36 can be any trough-shaped, V-shaped' orsemi-circular section which will serve to accumulate therein sub-dividedsolid material flowing from conduit 35. Further, collector 36 can beadapted to serve only a single conduit 35 instead of a row of conduitsas described. In such case, collector 36 will be in the shape of anyordinary receptacle such as a cup or a hollow hemisphere. It is to be 7understood that collectors 36 can be operatively actuated so as to allbe open or all closed at any one time. It is also to be understood, inaccordance with a preferred feature of this invention, that thereceptacles 36 can be operatively connected with an actuating devicesuch as that shown in Figures 2 and 3 whereby at least one of thereceptacles will be in a closed position while at least one other is inan open position as described with reference to the embodiment shown inFigures 3, 4, 5 and 6. Thus the embodiment shown in Figure 8 willlikewise secure a uniform continuous flow of sub-divided solid materialwithout crushing the same.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an additional embodiment of the apparatus ofthis invention wherein conduits 38 depend from a tray 15. Located at thelower ends of a row of conduits 38 are collectors comprising invertedT-sections 39 pivotally mounted at their ends at axis 40 and havingtheir ends closed by a section 41. Leg 42 of T-section 39 extendsupwardly to the mouth of conduit 38, so as to form part of receptacles43 and 44 as well as a diverting barrier when in the position shown inFigure 9. In this position, a receptacle 44 is formed beneath conduit 38wherein the flowing particles of material will accumulate and eventuallybridge across the lower end of conduit 38 thereby stopping flowtherethrough. The lower end of conduit 38 is cut in an are about point40 so that leg 42 can form an effective seal along opposite sides ofconduit 38. T-section 39 can be supported by bearing standards 45situated on support 46 attached to walls 14. In operation, the invertedT- sections 39 oscillate back and forth to the positions D and E asshown in Figure 10 whereby the flow of material through conduit 38 flowsalternately into adjacent receptacles 43 and 44. The flow of granularmaterial through conduit 38 is regulated by regulating the speed ofoscillation of the T-sections. Suitable operating linkages and anactuator as in Figures 2 and 3 can be provided to oscillate collectors39 to positions D and E in order to secure a regulated and positiveoscillation of the collectors. In Figure 10, such an operating linkageis shown as comprised of members 47 having slots 48 adapted to receive abearing pin 49 which is attached to end 41 of T-section 39. The ends ofmembers 47 can be connected by link 50 as shown. Link 50 has a fixedpivot point 51 and is connected by link 52 to a linkage 53 which isoperatively connected to an actuating means (not shown). In operation,linkage 53 is reciprocated back and forth thereby causing members 47 tolikewise reciprocate but in opposite directions to each other. Thisreciprocation causes T- sections 39 to oscillate back and forth aboutpoint 40. Slots 48 permit the weight of the material contained inreceptacles 43 and 44 to semi-automatically assist in oscillatingT-sections 39.

It is to be understood that although the collectors of Figures 9 and 10have been described as inverted T- drawing. Further, collector 39 can bereadily adapted to serve a row ofconduits or a single conduit. It is tobe further understood that collectors 39 can be so attached to theiroscillating linkages that at least one collector is at position E whileat least one other is at position D.

It is further contemplated that the collectors of Figures 9 and 10 canbe adapted to operate automatically without any positive actuatingmechanism by balancing the collectors so that the weight of materialflowing into a first receptacle of the collector will cause thatcollector to oscillate so that a second receptacle will be under theconduit 38 thereby filling it while the first receptacle is emptying.This action will be constantly repeated so as to secure a continuousflow of material through the process vessel. The rate of oscillation ofthe collector in such case can be controlled by adjusting the volume ofthe'adjacent receptacles or by providing loading springs attached toeach receptacle and to a stationary point in order to bias theoscillation of the collector.

It is apparent from the foregoing description of the invention thatthere is provided a means for controlling in a regulable manner a flowof solid sub-divided material without any crushing or shearing of theparticles of material. It is to be especially noted that the provisionof the collectors of this inention in conjunction with conduits throughwhich is flowing a solid sub-divided material afiords a surge chamberfor the material in the form of the collectors associated with the saidconduits. Thus, when a collector is oscillated into a closed positionabout the end of a conduit, the flow of material through the conduit isnot immediately stopped but continues to flow until sufficient materialaccumulates in the collector to bridge across the end of the associatedconduit. The flow of material is not thereby suddenly halted so as tocause additional crushing and shearing of the particles of material.

The flow controllers of this invention can be advantageously employed incombination with a solid material surge vessel. Referring to Figure 1,it is often desirable to provide a surge chamber in the bottom of vessel1 in order to provide a flexible system of solid material flow control.In such case, flow controller 8 can be provided as shown and anadditional flow controller (not shown) can be situated in vessel 1 asuitable distance below controller 8 in order to provide a chambertherebetween which will act as a surge chamber. Thus, flow controller 8can be operated to secure the desired rate of solid material flowthrough heating section 6 and superposed sections while the flowcontroller below controller 8 can be operated to secure the desired rateof feed of solid material to line 10 in order to avoid overloading line10.

While the invention has been described in connection with a present,preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that thisdescription is illustrative only andis not intended to limit theinvention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for controlling in a regulable manner a continuousflow of a mass of sub-divided material, in combination; a plurality ofconduits placed in the line of flow of said material; a materialcollector coacting with the discharge end of each of said conduits, saidcollector comprising adjacent receptacles mounted to rotate at each ofsaid discharge ends of said conduits; an actuator operatively connectedto said collector to rotate it so that at least oneof .saidzreceptaclesreceives .while 'at least one other discharges materialfromsaidtconduit. v

.2. 1n anapparatus fortcontrollingina regulabletmanner a continuous,flow .of a mass of. sub-divided material, inscombinatioma pluralityofconduits placed in the line of.flow oftsaid materialaalmaterialcollector; coacting with the.discharge.end of eachof saidconduits,saidtcollector comprisingan inverted .T-sectionmountedtorotate.under the saidconduit so that'thelegs ofi-thesaid :T-section formadjacent receptaclesat the discharge-end of. saideonduit;

anactuatort operatively connectedtto and adapted to rotate saidcollector so that said receptacles alternately receive and dischargematerial from the '.said-:conduit without crushing the said material.

.3. In an. apparatus for controlling .ina .regulableimanner a continuousflow ofia:mass.,of subdividedmaterial, in combination; asubstantially;horizontal: tray; a plurality of conduits .depending fromand attachedat one end to said tray, said conduitsibeingrarranged ina.plurality.of rows .across said tray; a plurality of materialcollectors eachcoacting with .the lower ends of arrow .OfvSEliClCOH-duits, each of said collectors ,comprising an invertedT-..section.mounted to rotate abouttheiintersec tion.of the legs :ofsaid T-section vandsituated so thatthe outertend of.therlegperpendicular to the othertwo legs of the section rotates from one edgeof said conduitito. the opposite edge thereby forming adjacentreceptacles-which alternate in receiving and dischargingsaid materialfromsaid conduit; andanvactuator adapted to'rotateeach of, saidcollectors; said collectors being operatively engagedtby said actuator.

4. .Apparatus for-controlling theafiow of a mass-of solidsubt-dividedimaterial comprising, incombination, a chamber havingantout'let, a rigid conduit disposed in. communicat-ion with saidoutlettand secured'immovably to said chamber, ancollectormounted torotate .on a pivot fixed relative-to said chamber and said conduit, saidcollector being adapted andfdisposed below said conduit in onerotationalposition to cause saidmaterialflowing out of said conduit to bridgeandrstop said' flow.

5. The combination of claim 4 in which the collector is semicylindi'icalin cross section and is, pivotedon an axis parallel to the axis of saidsemicylin'der.

6. The combination of claim 5 in which said axis of saidpivot isadjacent and parallel to one edge of said semicyli nder.

7. The combination of claim 4 in which the collector is an inverted Tbar.

8. T he combination of claim 7 in which the collector is pivoted on anaxis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said inverted -T bar.

9.'The combination of claim S in which said axis of said pivot isadjacent and parallel to the line of intersection of the shank and cross.bar elementsof said inverted .T bar.

OConnor Oct. 25,1949 Siren Dec.t8, 1953

